Winchendon (town), Massachusetts
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Winchendon is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 9,611.
For geographic and demographic information on the census-designated place Winchendon, please see the article Winchendon (CDP), Massachusetts.
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History
Winchendon was first settled in 1753 and was officially incorporated in 1764.
Toy Manufacturing
Morton E. Converse started his business career in Converseville, New Hampshire manufacturing acids. In 1873 he purchased a nearby mill to make wooden products. Apparently he started making toys there but soon teamed with Orland Mason of Winchendon, Massachusetts to form the Mason & Converse Company which lasted until 1883. Converse then partnered with his uncle Alfred C. Converse and Converse Toy and Woodenware Company was formed. In 1887, the company changed its name to Morton E. Converse & Company. This company remained in business until 1934.
Converse made a great variety of toys including Noah's Arks, doll furniture, kiddie riding racers, hobby horses, floor whirligigs, drums, wagon blocks, building blocks, pianos, trunks, ten pins, farms houses, and musical roller chimes.
Such a large number of toys were made in Winchendon, Massachusetts that it became known as "Toy-Town".
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The original Giant Rocking Horse was built in 1912 by Morton Converse. The 12’ grey hobby horse was named “Clyde” and made from nine pine trees. It was a copy of the company’s #12 rocking horse. In 1914, Clyde entered the local parade to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Clyde was moved to the railroad station for about 20 years. Then in 1934, he moved to the edge of the Toy Town Tavern for about 30 years. After that, he was put in storage and fell into disrepair. In 1988, a new 12’ horse was sculpted (“Clyde II”) using the original as a model. He is now on display in a covered pavilion.
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 114.1 km² (44.1 mi²). 112.1 km² (43.3 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.77% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 9,611 people, 3,447 households, and 2,478 families residing in the town. The population density is 85.7/km² (222.0/mi²). There are 3,660 housing units at an average density of 32.7/km² (84.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 95.96% White, 0.80% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 2.03% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,447 households out of which 39.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% are married couples living together, 11.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% are non-families. 22.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.75 and the average family size is 3.23.
In the town the population is spread out with 30.2% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $43,750, and the median income for a family is $50,086. Males have a median income of $36,875 versus $29,099 for females. The per capita income for the town is $18,798. 10.0% of the population and 6.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.6% of those under the age of 18 and 19.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.